Dear Student Legal Clinic,
I reduced my hours at work so I could come back to school.  My mother died unexpectedly and I had to help with the funeral expenses.  Now my car has tie rod problems and I don’t have enough money left to fix the car.  I need the car to take my daughter to day care so I can get to school on time.
Signed
Bernita

Dear Bernita,
MATC has received a grant from the Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation to help students with UNFORESEEN financial emergencies.
You may apply for this grant if this situation is unlikely to occur again, you have tried every other way to get help in resolving this situation, and you will have to quit school if you cannot get money to fix this problem.  
If this is a problem with rent or a car, but nothing UNFORESEEN has happened, that may not qualify since you know rent is due each month and, if you own a car, you know there will be repairs needed.  MATC does provide the UPASS to help you get to school.
You may apply for this grant if you are eligible to receive the Pell grant, are enrolled in 6 or more credits, and your grade point is 2.0 or better. You cannot apply if you are on suspension.  
If you are a new student without a grade point average yet, you must get emails or letters from your instructors saying that you are attending class and making satisfactory progress.
If you meet these requirements, go to https://matc.dreamkeepers.org/ to complete the application.  The MATC Dreamkeepers Administrator will review the application and call you for an interview or return the application to you for more documentation.  
You MUST provide a one paragraph statement explaining why you need the money and how exactly this money will be used.  For instance, Bernita, you should get an estimate for the work that needs to be done on the letterhead of the car repair shop.  This needs to be submitted with your application.
You MUST provide documentation of the funeral expenses that you paid.  Everything that you state in your application must be verified. You will need to explain what you will do if you need further car repairs and also, what other ways you tried to get help with this car repair.
You will also need to explain what you will do if you do not get this grant.  You must answer all the questions and provide documentation with the application.  This is a scholarship and you should treat it as such, by submitting a complete application with all needed documentation.  
The entire process may take a few days or weeks depending on your situation and the timing of the approval process and check processing.  Do not expect this process to be completed in a day or two.
For more questions or for help submitting the Dreamkeepers application, come to Room M346 or call 297-6630, or email [email protected].